Leinster stalwart and inspirational Munster pair have served Ireland with distinction over their long careers
Conor Murray, Cian Healy and Peter O'Mahony: the three players have made a remarkable contribution to Irish rugby. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesStanding on the sideline, there was a gale blowing off the estuary that swept across the upper pitch at Malahide RFC. Ireland hosted Italy in an Under-19 international on Saturday, March 22nd, 2008.
The first time I encountered Pete was in a Munster versus Leinster U-19 Schools game at Donnybrook. He was number eight and captain of Munster. My dad is from Tipp, so we would have that healthy rivalry, half the household is Leinster the other half Munster. Pete, you’d run through a brick wall for the man. He knew what to say, what to do and the most important thing led from the front. We would all have put a mortgage that Pete would not only have been a captain of Ireland but for the Lions. He led from the front and would not take a step back. Brilliant players and team-mates, both.I have obviously known them since 2012, seen them develop, grow-up and mature into adults and all three fathers at this stage. There is a great presence about Peter.
During my time I got to know them well. You almost wouldn’t notice them if you know what I mean, they are understated personality wise, they don’t really put themselves out there, they are not the people that would be leading the charge on a night out. They’d fit in seamlessly, would be a very good description of the three of them.
He answered: ‘It would probably be Peter O’Mahony;’ tough, gnarly, angry, uncompromising, put your head where others wouldn’t type of player. It got a great laugh from the lads.School-mate and team-mate of Cian Healy on a Belvedere College side that won a Leinster Schools Senior Cup, they were on the Ireland Under-20 team that won a Grand Slam and joined the Leinster academy together.
He’s so humble, real down to earth. He is coaching down in Clontarf, trying to upskill as a coach. He helps the Irish 20s players with their technique. He’s a really great guy and it’s incredible that he’s Ireland’s most capped international as he’s playing in one of the most attritional positions. Pete is one of the easiest people to read. What I like about Pete is his personality comes out on the pitch. That’s the way he is. He’s just such a determined guy, aggressive on the pitch, and even in training, he trains the way he plays, with that edge.
“Ah, the three bunnies, I have nothing but fond memories of the way they looked after me, as much as I looked after them, and literally on one occasion in the case of Peter O’Mahony in the old Intercontinental Hotel in Ballsbridge.
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